Holly Holm urges the critics to stop 'trashing Rousey'

Holly Holm handed Rousey her first professional defeat

Holly Holm has defended her outspoken opponent Ronda Rousey in an interview with TMZ Sports and has urged the critics to stop trashing the former champion.

Going into the fight as the clear underdog, Holm pulled off a stunning win against Rousey at Saturday’s UFC 193 in Melbourne to become the new Women’s Bantamweight Champion.

Prior to the defeat, Rousey had issued numerous public social media threats against her opponent and even refused to touch gloves before their fight. She had even taken to Instagram to taunt her opponent – "Fake a** cheap shotting fake respect fake humility bitch," she wrote on her Instagram on the day of the fight.

“Preacher's daughter' my a** - I see through your fake sweet act now - you're getting your a** kicked tomorrow, and I'm really going to enjoy the beating I give you #andSTILL.”

But it turned out to be a different story for Rousey, who was knocked out by Holm with a perfectly placed head kick in the second round of the fight, which consequently ended her winning streak.

Celebrities like Lady Gaga and Donald Trump had much to say about Rousey’a trash-talking after the loss. While Rousey had much to say prior to the fight, Holm, on the other hand, has turned the other cheek and has taken the more grounded route on Monday night.

“I think people can be pretty brutal,” Holm said.

She added, “And when you’re in the spot she’s in, there are people that are just going to jump ship, and I don’t ever wish for that. I do think that I come from a more humble spot. [I never want] to say something and look like a fool.”

I have the utmost respect for Rousey: Holm

“Ronda’s been a very dominant champ and she’s taken the sport to new levels,” Holm said.

By giving Ronda credit for her accomplishments, she said, “This fight wouldn’t’ve happened if she hadn’t accomplished what she’s accomplished, so I have a lot of respect for her.” “Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to give away any bit of my victory, so I’ll take it.”

“I’ll take the win and I’ll take that I took it dominantly. That doesn’t mean that I wish any harm on her. That doesn’t mean that I wish any hate on her. I think people can be pretty brutal, and when you’re in the spot that she’s in, there are people who are just going to jump ship and I don’t ever wish for that,” Holly added.

After Sunday’s defeat, Floyd Mayweather, who Rousey had a verbal spat with in the past, also expressed his sympathy for her.